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In an era marked by an increasing emphasis on sustainability and renewable resources, synthetic biology emerges as a key player in driving the transition towards a bio-based economy. At the forefront of this transformative field, Singapore’s National University of Singapore (NUS) has assumed a leadership role in setting technical standards critical for the swift commercialisation of bio-based technologies worldwide.
Synthetic biology, often referred to as engineering biology, entails the deliberate design, construction, and assembly of biological components to achieve specific functions. Assoc Prof Matthew Chang, a distinguished figure in the field and a member of NUS, has co-authored a groundbreaking global task force report aimed at identifying ten pivotal areas necessitating standardisation and metrics to unlock the full potential of the bioeconomy.
The term “bioeconomy” encapsulates a paradigm shift from fossil fuel-dependent industries to those fueled by renewable resources. It encompasses a broad spectrum of applications, including the utilisation of living organisms to produce novel products and materials. However, the absence of internationally agreed-upon standards poses significant challenges, potentially compromising safety, and impeding the widespread adoption of synthetic biology technologies.
To address these challenges head-on, an international task force was convened, with Assoc Prof Chang representing Asia. The mission was clear: to establish robust technical standards and metrics that would facilitate the scalability and performance optimisation of bioeconomic endeavours.
The culmination of their efforts materialised in a comprehensive report, jointly authored by Assoc Prof Chang and his esteemed colleagues, which was unveiled at the prestigious Synbiobeta conference last week.
The report, informed by workshops worldwide, notably one by NUS in Singapore, identifies ten vital areas necessitating standardisation efforts. These encompass technical and non-technical domains, addressing issues like data standards, scaling processes, and sustainability assessments tailored for engineering biology.
The report’s findings shed light on the imperative of adopting standardised approaches to synthetic biology while also acknowledging the existence of regional disparities in priorities. These variations reflect the diverse technological landscapes and unique challenges encountered across different regions, underscoring the need for a nuanced and contextually relevant approach to standardisation.
Assoc Prof Chang, in reflecting upon Singapore’s significant contributions to the report, underscored the nation’s burgeoning role as a frontrunner in regional standardisation initiatives. Leveraging its robust engineering biology capabilities, Singapore stands poised to spearhead innovation and collaboration in the bioeconomy sector, aligning seamlessly with both regional imperatives and international standards.
This monumental collaborative effort, managed by NUS in partnership with esteemed institutions such as Imperial College London, the Engineering Biology Research Consortium, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology, represents a watershed moment in the advancement of synthetic biology for global bioeconomic growth.
Through concerted action and strategic collaboration, the bioeconomy stands poised to realise its full potential, ushering in a new era of sustainable development and innovation on a global scale.
OpenGov Asia reported that Singaporean scientists, in collaboration with A*STAR and NUS, have developed a microelectronic device using stable magnetic whirls called skyrmions, significantly reducing power consumption compared to traditional memory technologies. This innovation, published in Nature, promises to revolutionise computing systems, making them more sustainable and efficient.
NUS researchers, led by Assoc Prof Lu Jiong, have introduced an innovative design for next-gen carbon-based quantum materials: a magnetic nanographene with a butterfly-shaped structure. This innovation, with highly correlated spins, promises to advance quantum materials critical for revolutionary quantum computing technologies, redefining information processing and storage capabilities.
NUS stands at the forefront of tech and digital innovation across diverse fields, from artificial intelligence and biotechnology to cybersecurity and sustainable energy solutions. With groundbreaking research and collaborative partnerships, NUS continues to drive forward transformative advancements that shape the future of technology on a global scale.
